Base-Bulls picked fourth in C-USA

The Conference USA preseason coaches’ poll released Tuesday placed South Florida’s baseball team fourth. Tulane, Houston and East Carolina took the top three spots, while Memphis, Charlotte, TCU, Southern Miss, Louisville, Cincinnati, UAB and Saint Louis took spots 5-12.

Baseball America ranked C-USA fifth among the nation’s top baseball conferences.

“There’s no question Conference USA is one of the top four or five leagues in the country,” USF coach Eddie Cardieri said. “I think we have the pitching, hitting and defense to be in the mix at the top of the league.”

The All C-USA team was also announced Tuesday, with sophomore shortstop Myron Leslie making the list as the Bulls’ sole representative. Last year, Leslie handled third base for the Bulls, batted .366, and was fourth in the conference with a .460 on-base percentage and 94 hits. Leslie was a freshman All-American last season.

“We are going to be looking for consistency from Myron in his second season in terms of making the routine plays,” Cardieri said. “He doesn’t need to do too much, he just needs to play within himself.”

Gorham goes under the knife

Senior right-handed pitcher John Gorham underwent surgery on his right knee Wednesday, Jan. 23. According to the South Florida coaching staff, Gorham suffered a slight tear of the right meniscus. Before the surgery Cardieri had said that Gorham had complained of a slightly “tweaked” knee.

Gorham has been an active member of the Bulls’ weekend rotation for two years and has 22 career wins, ranking him No. 8 on USF’s all-time career list.

“I’m looking at getting back on the mound (to practice) by the weekend,” Gorham said. “I’m ready to jump back in and not miss any action.”

Former Bulls pitcher arrested

John Vigue, former Bulls pitcher, was arrested at 3:30 a.m. Sunday and charged with drunken driving. Vigue, 23, was pulled over after running a red light at Fletcher Avenue and 42nd Street, and driving erratically down Fletcher.

According to USF police reports, Vigue’s blood-alcohol level was recorded at both 0.104 and 0.119. Vigue spent last season with the Devil Rays’ minor league team in Princeton, N.J.